Fhoto-litho



H. C. GAMMETER.

MECHANISM FR STOHING, SSEMEILING,4 AND DISTRIBUTING TYPE.I

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I9. I'9Io.

1 ,194,008. Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

fifi-55?.- fwezzfof.

H. c. GAMMETER. MECHANISM FOR STORIN, ASSEMBLING, AND DISTRIBUTING TYPE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19| I9l0. I 191 94,008 Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HARRY C. GAMMETER, OF BRATENAHL, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE AMERICAN MULTI- GRAPH COIJIPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MECHANISM FOR STORING, ASSEMBLING, AND DISTRIBUTING TYPE..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

Application sied August 19, 1910. sei-iai No. 577,901.

.To @ZZ w/Lom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HARRY C. GAMMETER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bratenahl, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Mechanism for Storing, Assembling,and Distributing Type, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. y

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and etlicient case for containing type combined with composing sticks operatable for distributing type into the case and assembling it therefrom.

The characteristics of the invention are illustrated inthe accompanying drawings and hereinafter more fully described and summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a face view looking diagonally downwardly on a convenient embodiment of my invention with the center portion broken away; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of such mechanism; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the type case and the distributing mechanism coperating therewith; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the type case and the assemblage mechanism cooperating with it; Fig. 5 is a portion of a cross section of the case, as indicated by the line 5-5 on Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a plan of a portion of the distributing stick at the discharge end; Fig. 7 is a View looking at the end of this assemblage stick detached.

As shown in the drawings, thetype case proper is adapted to stand in the diagonal position shown and has on its face parallel channels extending up and down the face of the case. This case may consist cfa base plate 10 which, in the embodiment shown, is a board) and suitable overhangingrails or strips 11 set into it or carried by it,'whereby undercut channels are provided adapted to hold type grooved on'its opposite sides.v These rails may ,consist of strips of sheet metal, flanged to present an L-shape in cross section, and placed back to'back and seated in kerfs 16 in the board.

The case is held at such an angle that the type will easily slide down the respective channels by gravity. Convenient means for holding the case in this position consist of I than the diameter of the rod 35.

lends of the bars 12 and having at their upper ends notches 14 adapted to embrace pins or screws 15 inthe ends of the base. With such a construction, the bars 13 may be folded on the bars 12 andboth folded on the ends of the base for convenientstorage.

Near the base of each type channel is a suitable latch having a spring tendency to engage beneath the lowermost type but adapted to be depressed outy'of the way to enable the type to move downwardly. These latches, in theformshown, consist of springs 20, one for each channel, each, of which, at its upper end, isset into (or otherwise secured to) the base, and each of which has an upward projection or shoulder 21 and a tail or lip 22. The resilience of the spring normally holds it in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the projection 21 in engagement with the lowermost one of a row of type 30 in that channel. The extension 22 of the latch furnishes convenient means by which it may be depressed to release the type, as hereinafter eXplained.

Secured along the lower edge of the type case is a slideway 35 which may consist of a bead or a smooth rod mounted on the edge of a plate 36 secured to the lower end of the base 10. Sliding on this rod 35 is the composing` stick used in assembling. This stick includes the member 42 (having the elongated hub 41 embracing the rod 35) and the split tube 43 socketed in this member. This tube may conveniently be held in place bythe spring 40 mounted on the member 42 and having a projection occupying an opening in the member and engaging a depression in the wall of the tube. The upper portion of themember 42 has two parallel separated edges 44 adapted to form a type guideway y'and aline with the slot 45 in the split tube.

A. and from the type case. Thus, as shown, the

hub'f4`1v of this member 42 is open on its under side f for a greater distance than the thickness of the plate 36, thoughsmaller Accordingly, though the memberv 42 can bemoved into place only longitudinally over the end of the rod 35, it may rock thereon. In this `rocking movement, the upper end 47 of this composing stick enters the lower end of the ,55 the bars l2 pivoted to .opposite ends vthe ,adjacent type channel, and being beveled, as

shown in Fig. `7, accurately positions the stick so that the members 44 and the split tube 43 form a continuation of the channel of the case. The inward movement of the stick, which accurately positions it, also presses inwardly the lower end of the latch 20, with the result that the line of type is freed of this latch. Preceding such freeing, however, a spring comes into engagement with the next to the bottom type and thus holds the line above that point so that thev lowermost type only is released and this slides 'by gravity into the composing stick and through the channel 44 into the tubular extension 43. In the form shown, this retaining spring is carried by the stick and consists of a wire bail 48 secured to opposite sides of the stick and extending over the face of the bottom type and being adapted to press between the faces of the bottom and the next to the bottom type and engage the next to the bottom type.

It will be seen that with the above described construction, it is simply necessary to position the stick and then move it into engagement with the projection of the respective latch 20 to release the bottom type into the stick. Each of such movements causes one type to pass into the stick and by moving the stick around to the different channels (each channel containing a different row of characters) words are assembled as desired. I provide a suitablechart displaying the characters in different channels, and coperating with this is a pointer movable with the assemblage stick. As shown, the pointer 53 is mounted on the hub 41 and the chart consists of a strip 54 so placed that when the stick alines with a given channel the pointer will be opposite the corresponding character on the chart.

To increase the convenience of shifting and operating the stick, I may provide it with a roller 52 mounted on a downward eX- tension 50 vof the stick and adapted to roll along the face of the plate 36, and I may further provide this stick with a suitable finger piece or lever 51 which, by being drawn upwardly, tips the stick to depress the' latch 20 and release the type. The flanges of the rails 11 are cut away Where the stick enters to allow proper positioning of the stick-end, and the beveled nose engages the webs of such cut-away rails.

The distributing stick is adapted to be carried in a similar manner along the upper portion of the case. Thus, secured along the under side of the case near its upper edge is a plate provided with a beaded edge or bar 61 on which slides a bracket 62 carrying the distributing stick 63. This distributing stick has a pair of parallel rails providing a type channel and has a socket adapted to receive a split tube 64 forming an extension of the stick. The stick may be brought opposite any channel desired by being shifted along the bar 61, a suitable pointer 65 on the stick coperating with a suitable chart 66 on the case indicating the position. Accuracy is insured by beveled projections 67 on the stick entering the two channels on opposite sides of the one with which the stick alines. The bracket 62 may have a wheel 68 riding on the plate 6 0 and may have a suitable finger piece G9 for the purpose of tipping the bracket.

A suitable spring gate is provided on the distributing stick which is automatically operated to release the lowermost type and retain the type above the bottom one whenever the stick is presented to a channel. In the illustration of the drawing, the type 30 `have their feet beveled (as shown at 31,

Fig. 3) and the gate consists of a star wheel 70 which coperates with these beveled feet and has suitable spring means for rotating it a. tooth at a time and holding it. Such rotation releases and feeds downwardly .the lowermost type, allowing the line of type above the bottom one to descend the thickness of one type. The star wheel is held against accidental displacement by the detent spring 71 secured to the under side of the stick and acting on the wheel. This spring may conveniently be a bail having a small roller 72 to engage the stick.

To operate the star wheel, I provide a member which may consist of a spring bail 74 secured to the under side of the bracket 62 and passing around one or more teeth on the under side of the star wheel. This bail is anchored at some point comparatively near the tu-rning aXis of the bracket and is free opposite the projecting rib 12, running along the upper end of the type case base. Accordingly, when the bracket is swung toward the type case this spring 74 (or a suitable presser plate 75 thereon) engages the upper end of the rib 12 and thereby draws relatively rearwardly on the under side of the star wheel and rotates it one tooth to release the bottommost type, allowing that type to pass by gravity into thev It should be noted that the discharging my application No. 308,378, filed March 28, 1906.

The normal position of the parts is that shown in Fig. 2. As will be understood from the preceding description, to distribute type into the case it is only necessary toplace them in the distributing stick, move that stick along the guiding bar 61 opposite its desired channel and then swing it toward that channel by means of the linger lever 69, thus automatically positioning the stick and freeing the bottom type, which passes by gravity into the case and slides down the selected channel until stopped by engaging the type already therein, or, in the case of the first type, by engaging the latch 20. Similarly, to assemble type, it is only necessary to draw the receiving stick along its rail and at the desired position swing it by means of the finger piece 51 to actuate the selected latch and release the bottom type, which then passes by gravity from the type case into the receiving stick.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination of an inclined type case having parallel overhanging rails extending up and down its face and providing channels for holding type grooved on its opposite sides, the type being adapted to slide downwardly in the channels by gravity, of a series of individual stops at the lower ends of the respective channels, adapted to engage the bottom type therein, a second stop adapted to enter between the bottom type and the next to the bottom type in a channel, and means for concurrently withdrawing the lirst stop and presenting the second, and holding the second in position to support the column while the bottom type is delivered.

2. The combination, in a type case, of a body having parallel overhanging rails extending up and down vits face and providing channels for holding type grooved on its opposite sides, the type being adapted to slide downwardly in the channels by gravity, of a pivoted shiftable composing stick adapted to be swung into and out of alinement with any channel, a series of individual stops at the lower ends of the respective channels, adapted to engage the bottom type therein, said stops having downward extensions adapted to be engaged by said composing stick brought into registration with the channel whereby the stop is moved to idle position, and a spring adapted to be brought into engagement with the next to the bottom type in the channel by such movement of the stick.

3. The combination oi' a flat type case consisting of a series of up and down channels arranged in a plane and open in the direction of the length of the channel at their upper and lower ends, of guides parallel with such upper and lower ends, laterally shiftable type sticks movable along said guides respectively, and means for ejecting type sidewise of the type from the upper stick into any channel of the type case and ejecting type sidewise of the type from the lower portion of any channel of the type case into the lower stick.

4. The combination, with a fiat type case having gravitational` channels, of a travel-- ing type stick movable in a right line along the upper end of the case and having means adapted to occupy the grooves of type and thereby hold a line of laterally grooved type and provided near its lower end with a a spring-controlled gate, and a device car- ,f

ried by the lower part of the stick and adapted to locate it with reference to a type receiving channel.

G. A type distributing stick comprising a member movable as a unit and having a pair of parallel separated edges adapted to hold a line of grooved individual type, said stick being provided near its exit end with a spring-controlled gate, and means adapted to be impinged by the positioning of the stick to operate the gate.

7. The combination of a channeled type case, a guide extending transversely of the channels, a type stick mounted on said guide to shift longitudinally thereof and be rocked thereon, and a star wheel for controlling the discharge of type.

8. rIhe combination of a type case, a guide extending parallel with the edge of the case, a type stick mounted on said guide to shift longitudinally thereof and be rocked thereon, a roller carried by the stick, and a stationary longitudinal track against which the periphery of the roller bears in the idle position of the stick, whereby the stick is kept ready for convenient longitudinal shifting, the roller being free to move away from the track during the rocking of the stick.

9. A flat type case having parallel type channels, a plate secured to the case near one edge thereof and carrying a beaded edge, a bracket having a type stick and oscillatably mounted on said beaded edge, and a roller carried by said bracket adapted to engage said plate.

l0. A type case comprising a base having parallel grooves and L-shaped strips ar ranged back to back in pairs, the E -portion of the strips projecting away from each other and being distant from the base and the other edges of the strips seating in said grooves.

ll. A type case comprising a base and rails set into the face thereof, said rails being composed ot L-shaped members placed back to back with their L-portions distant from the base, whereby undercut channels are provided adapted to retain type grooved on its opposite sides.

l2. A type case comprising a base and l. l O

rails set into the face thereof, said rails lbeing composed of L-shaped members placed back to back whereby undercut channels are provided adapted to retain type grooved on its opposite sides, and springs, one in each channel, secured to the base and projecting toward the exit end of the channel and provided with a projection adapted to engage type in the channel.

13. The combination of a type case having parallel type holding channels, mechanism for each channel adapted to engage the lowermost type therein, a type stick movable transversely of the channels to bring it :j opposite a desired channel and then movable into actual presentation to the channel, means whereby such movement operates said mechanism to release the bottom type, and means carried by the stick to engage the type next above the released type whereby type are discharged singly into the stick.

14. The combination of a type case, a longitudinally and transversely .movable type stick adapted to cooperate therewith, and a beveled face on the stick adapted to enter the type channel and accurately positionthe stick.

15. The combination of a type case, a longitudinally and transversely movable type stick adapted to coperate therewith, and two beveled projections on the stick on the opposite sides of its channel adapted to engage the channels of the case on opposite sides of thc one cooperating with the stick channel.

16. A type stick consisting of a member having a channel adaptedto hold a row of type, aI spring controlled gate for the member adapted to be engaged and operated automatically by positioning the stick, and a beveled projection on the member alongside of the channel in position to engage one channel of the type case when a channel of the stick longitudinally alines with the adjacent channel.

17. A type stick consisting of a member having a channel for holding a single row of type, a star wheel for controlling the dis charge, and a pair of projections on the stick on opposite sides of its channel respectively.

18. The combination of a channeled type case, a guide extending transversely of the channels, a type stick mounted on said guide to shift longitudinally thereof and be rocked thereon, and means for controlling the discharge from said stick operated by such rocking.

19. The combination, with a channeled type case, of a stick for distributing type thereinto guided to move transversely of the channels and also toward them, a finger' key movable with the stick for effecting the latter movement, and means whereby movement of the stick into presentation to a particular channel of the type case automatically discharges the bottom type of the stick into such channel.

20. The combination of a type case, a guide extending parallel with the edge of the case, a type stick mounted on said guide to shift longitudinally thereof and be rocked thereon, and a nger lever movable with the stick for rocking it. c

21. The combination, with a flat type case, of a stick for cooperation therewith guided to move longitudinally of the case across its upper end, means whereby movement of the stick into presentation to the upper end of a particular channel of the type case automatically discharges a bottom type from the stick into the case, a traveling finger lever movable with the stick for shifting it and presenting it, and a beveled projection on the stick caused by such movement to engage the type case to insure accurate position of the stick.

2.2. rlhe combination of a type case, a longitudinally and transversely movable type holder traveling adjacent to the edge of the case, mechanism actuated by the transverse movement of the holder to release type, and a bale having its legs secured to opposite sides of the holder and its intermediate portion extending transversely of the holder to engage an adjacent type.

23. The combination of a fiat base having on its face parallel typeholding rails, and folding links for holding said base in an inclined position, said links connecting with the base near its upper and lower edges, and one of the links extending horizontally and another in an up and' down direction, the rear end of the horizontal link connecting with the lower end of the up and down link.

24. rl'he combination, with a type stick, of an inclined type case having a base and parallel rails and spring controlled klatches mounted on the forward side of the base between the rails and having noses to engage the bottom-most type and having lips for engagement by the type stick, and spring means to automatically engage the next to the bottom type in the case when'the stick operates the latch.

25. The combination of a type case having a series of channels open at their upper ends, a distributing stick movable along the upper edge of the case, a finger lever movable with the stick, mechanism movable with the stick and controlled by the actuation of the finger lever for engaging the lowermost type in the stick and feeding it into the case, and a pair of projections movable with the stick and adapted to be caused by the operation of the lever to enter the type channels or opposite sides of the channel which is cooperating with the stick.

26. The combination of an inclined flat type case having gravitational. channels,

guides parallel with the top and bottom edges of the case, carriages movable on said guides respectively and provided with sticks for holding rows of type, finger levers on said carriages, mechanism operated by the movement thereof for releasing type enabling it to pass by gravity side foremost to or 'from the sticks, and a projection movable with the carriage and adapted to enter a channel adjacent to the active one to position the stick.

27. The combination of a type stick having a channel adapted to hold a row of type, a spring-controlled gate for such row adapted to release the type singly, and a pair of projections carried by the stick adapted to enter the channels on opposite sides of the one cooperating with the stick.

28. rlhe combination of a type case having a series of parallel channels open at their upper ends, and a type stick having a channel adapted to aline with any channel of the type case, said stick having on opposito sides of its channel at its lower end projcctions adapted to enter the channels of the type case on opposite sides of the one a-lining with the stick channel, and mechanism movable with the stick for controlling the discharge of the lowermost type from the stick into the type case.

29. The combination of a type case having up and down rails between which grooved type may be loosely held in columns, a stop at the lower portion of each channel thus provided, each stop having a lip at its lower end adapted to be engaged by a composing tool and having a forwardly projecting shoulder above the lip adapted to engage beneath the lowermost type, the stop then extending upwardly behind the type to an anchorage about which it may be swung rearwardly.

30. rEhe combination of a frame member, a series of upwardly extending parallel rails secured thereto and having overhanging edges, a series of downwardly. extending stops mounted on the forward side of said frame member between the rails, said stops being given a tendency to move forwardly but adapted to be swung rearwardly, each stop having a forwardly projecting shoulder and a downwardly extending lip below the shoulder.

In testimony whereof, l hereunto allix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY C. GAMMETER.

l/Vitnesses:

W. R. ALLEN, BRENNAN B. WEST.

Copies of this patent may be obtainedrfor ve cents each, by addressing'- the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

